Gov. Abbott speaks on data centers
Governor Greg Abbott addressed concerns about data centers during a visit to El Paso, Texas, announcing a statewide halt to new data center approvals. This pause is pending an audit by ERCOT and the Public Utility Commission, which will establish new requirements for power, water reuse, and neighborhood impact. The goal is to ensure data centers do not overburden the power grid or negatively affect local communities.
Governor Greg Abbott, during a visit to El Paso, Texas, addressed growing concerns surrounding data center development across the state. He announced significant actions aimed at regulating the industry's expansion and mitigating its potential impacts.
Abbott confirmed that there is now a statewide halt on any further approvals for data centers in Texas. This moratorium is in effect pending the results of a comprehensive audit to be conducted by both the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and the Public Utility Commission (PUC).
The Governor outlined several key areas that the audit and subsequent approval process would focus on. Future data centers will be required to provide their own power to the grid in a manner that effectively lowers electricity costs for local consumers. Furthermore, they will be mandated to implement water reuse systems to prevent the depletion of local community water resources. Abbott also emphasized the need for data centers to avoid encroaching upon urban, suburban, or rural neighborhoods, with specific attention to meeting noise requirements. The overarching objective is to ensure the state's power grid remains safe, secure, and reliable, without being overburdened by data center operations.